This year 2024, the world of sports has dressed in mourning on various occasions. Athletes from different disciplines, different nationalities and different ages have said their last goodbye this season. Even if they are gone, their legacy, achievements and titles will always remain in the history books along with their names. Carmen Valero, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Franz Beckenbauer, Muriel Furrer or Cesar Luis Menotti These are some names in the world of sports who have died in 2024.
The year started with the news that Carmen Valero had died at the age of 68 after suffering days before a stroke. On January 2, the world of sports in general and the Spanish world in particular dressed in mourning to say goodbye to the athlete. She was the most important Spanish athlete in history, who paved the way for women in this sport. Valero was the first woman to represent Spain in athletics at the Olympic Games. Throughout her career, the middle-distance runner from Sabadell was crowned double cross-country world champion while facing a society marked by machismo.
Just a few days later, on January 8, Franz Beckenbauer died at the age of 78 after fighting for months against an illness that kept him away from public life for a time. Nicknamed The Kaiserhe won three European Cups in a row, two World Cups (one as a player and one as a coach), a European Championship and two Ballon d’Ors. He elevated Bayern to the point where the team became a great club in Europe and the world.
Miguel Ángel González, iconic figure in Real Madrid’s goal, died on February 6 at the age of 76. The white club itself, through an official statement, confirmed the sad news, highlighting his legacy as one of the best goalkeepers in the club’s history. Michelangelo marked an era in the Real Madridwhere he established himself as one of the defensive pillars and left an indelible mark on the team. His skill, reflexes and leadership between the three sticks made him a legend of Spanish football, whose contribution to the sport will be remembered for generations.
On February 12, the world of athletics was in mourning after the death of the world marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptumwho suffered a road accident. A hard blow for the world of sports that just a few months ago, last October, was vibrating with Kiptum when he managed to beat the world record of Kipchoge in the Chicago marathon, where he managed to stop the stopwatch in 2:00:35 hours. Added to that of Chicago is the victory of Valenciathe scene in which his debut took place, in December 2022, with the fastest time in history for a debutant (2:01:53 hours).
The Argentine César Luis Menotti, coach of world champion Argentina in 1978 and former coach of FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid, died on May 5 at the age of 85. Menotti won the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup and the League Cup with the Blaugranas. In recent months, his delicate state of health had kept him away from public life. His legacy as a coach will be remembered in the history of sports.
Mariano Haroone of the great legends of Spanish sport and a reference in athletics, died on July 27, at the age of 84, coinciding with the inauguration of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Haro was one of the first athletes to project the possibility of Spain competing at the highest level in international events, approaching the talent of figures that seemed unattainable. His legacy endures as a symbol of effort, dedication and dreams fulfilled. Throughout his career he won a total of 27 titles in Spain and six world titles.
Carmen Algorawho was president of the Spanish Gymnastics Federation between 1984 and 1991, died on August 3 in Alicante. Algora marked a milestone in the history of Spanish sports by becoming the first woman to preside over a sports federation in Spain. His leadership in spanish gymnastics He left a deep mark, highlighting his commitment to the development of the discipline at the national level. Her legacy is remembered as an example of advancement and representation for women in the sports field.
On August 26, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Swedish coach, died at the age of 76 after battling terminal pancreatic cancer. In January he announced that he was very ill and since then his public appearances have decreased. As a footballer he was not very successful. He wore the shirts of the Torsby IF, SK Sifhalla and KB Karlskoga FF, until 1975, at the age of 27, he decided to hang up his boots. From that moment on, he assumed a different role: coach.
He came through the ranks of Degerfors IF, Gothenburg, with whom he won a league and the UEFA Cup. After that, he managed to make the jump to Benfica. In Portugal he won three leagues. He then directed the Roma, FiorentinaSampdoria, Lazio, Manchester CityLeicester City, Shanghai SIPG and Shenzhen. In addition to the England team, he also led the Mexican team, the Ivory Coast and the Philippines.
